William Buick spoke for the first time on Thursday about his delight at his appointment as first jockey to John Gosden.

Buick, 21, who has never had a ride for his new employer, starts the new job at the start of the turf season when he has completed to his current winter contract to ride for Dhruba Selvaratnam in Dubai. One of the first things he will do on his return is move from his current base just outside Lambourn to Newmarket.

“It’s a dream come true to ride for Mr Gosden,” he said. “He has plenty of nice horses – you can see that from the outside. I can’t wait to get started. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime and it’s up to me to take that opportunity and make the most of it.”

He added that it was a bit early to be talking about him joining Ryan Moore in the jockeys’ title race. “My first aim is to try and familiarise myself with Clarehaven and get on with the lads and the horses, and get involved.”

He also thanked the Balding family for whom he has worked since he left school six years ago. “I hope to ride for Andrew when I can,” he added. “The whole Balding family have been great to me over the years and I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for their encouragement and support.”

Buick has ridden 10 winners in the UAE this season, including five last weekend, and took part in trial races on the new Tapeta surface at Meydan ahead of Sheikh Mohammed’s flagship course’s grand opening next Thursday night.

“It was top class,” he said. “It’s very horse friendly. It was the first time I’d ridden on it and it’s the best sand-based surface I’ve experienced. Meydan is going to be amazing – if not this year then next year when it’s completely finished.”